La Monita

According to CNNGo, La Monita has the best burrito in Bangkok.  I had a craving for Mexican food that has yet to be satisfied so I met my friend Jennet here for our regular weekday lunch. The food was really, really good!  The best Mexican I've had in Bangkok!  Jennet and I loved the food so much that we couldn't wait to bring our hubbies because we knew that they would love it here too.  Unfortunately, they are not open on Sundays so your best shot for a family lunch/dinner would have to be on a Saturday.  I brought Aly and Richard as soon as I could.

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We had nachos with salsa for appetizer.

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I remember telling Richard, "nachos pa lang, panalo na!"  Because they use real corn chips.  The other Mexican place that we used to go to doesn't use corn chips.

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At first I wasn't sure if he will like the food as much as I do, but he loved it!  He doesn't want to go back to our old Mexican place anymore.  For him, it's La Monita or nothing when it comes to Mexican food.

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She loved the nachos too!

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We were the first customers that time (Saturday lunch), but the place was packed by 12:30.  Richard was impressed!

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Richard loved these: three kinds of chili sauce.

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Aly loved her cheese quesadilla.  We haven't finished our food yet and she was already asking me when we can go back there to eat.  Haha!

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Richard and I shared the pork carnitas tacos.  Super good!

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We also shared the beef steak burrito.  The best! 

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We left the place happy and completely satisfied.  We were on a Mexican high!  I'm glad that my recommendation was a success.  Uh oh, I'm thinking about those burritos now.  Looks like this Saturday is going to be another Mexican lunch day :) 

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La Monita is at Mahatun Plaza, BTS Ploenchit station.  

MRT

If BTS Sky Train is above ground, MRT naman is underground. They run through different routes, but there are certain stations where they have BTS/MRT interchange. I loved my first MRT ride so much, I told Richard and Aly that we should try it together. So last Saturday, we rode the MRT to Chatuchak. When I told Aly that we're going to ride a different train, she asked me if it's like a rollercoaster. Sabi ko, "Babe, hindi sya tulad ng Space Mountain. Regular train lang sya." Heehee!
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Another first train ride for Aly. MRT naman this time.
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aI thought the Sky Train was tops, but I think the MRT station is better. Aircon kasi, at saka feeling ko nasa ibang bansa ako dito. Heehee!
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aMRT is less crowded compared to the Sky Train.
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aHappy to share this new experience with my hubby :)
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aSuper long escalator.
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aThis is where you wait for the train, but we realized that we were in the wrong terminal. Eeeek! So we had to go back up.
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aPicture muna before going back up.
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aUp on the super long escalator again.
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aWe are here...
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a...and this is where we're going. Ang layo!
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aWhat's that I hear?
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Little Miss Kulit.
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aThe train is here!
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Yipee!
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aEmerging from the MRT station.
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aAbove ground once again. We landed right smack in the middle of Chatuchak.
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The Sky Train can take you to Chatuchak as well, and it's actually shorter with ten stops from Chong Nonsi station compared to MRT's 13 stops from Silom station (these are the two nearest stations from our place, and the shuttle can take you there for free). But, if I were to choose, I'd take the MRT even if it's longer because it lands right at the heart of the weekend market. With the Sky Train, you need to walk a bit more to get to the market itself.

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What I love about Bangkok is their efficient transportation system. I'm ashamed to say that I don't ride the MRT back home, but here in Bangkok, I ride the train most of the time especially during my lunch time lakwatsa when the hubby's at work and the daughter is in school. It's clean and safe...hindi sya nakakatakot. And you won't get lost because they provide you with maps that indicate certain attractions that you will find along their route. I got myself a copy so I can explore the city more. Sawa na ko with the places that I usually go to with the Sky Train, I can't wait to discover new places with the MRT :)

Our First Year

Before we proceed with my summer vacation kwento, let's backtrack a little so I can tell you all about our Bangkok anniversary. I know, this is a late post, natabunan kasi ng excitement and preps for our vacation so I didn't have time to put this up earlier. Anyway, here it is.

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28 March 2009 marked our first year here in Bangkok. For our first anniversary issue (naks! akala mo magazine!), I interviewed Richard and Aly on their Bangkok favorites. Syempre, kasama rin ako. Heehee! Here it goes:

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FAVORITE THAI FOOD

Alyannah (A): Khao Phad Goong (Fried rice with shrimp)

Richard (R): Phad Thai (stir fried noodles)

Krisan (K): Tom Yum Goong (hot and sour soup with shrimp)

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FAVORITE THAI DRINK (or any drink that we discovered here in Thailand)

A: Tipco Apple Juice

R: Singha beer

K: Chrysanthemum tea (Yes, the flower. The taste reminds me of our local gulaman with pandan)

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FAVORITE RESTAURANT

A: Pizza Company

R: Bai Mai La Leung (Thai restaurant)

K: Toh Plue (Thai restaurant in Chatuchak)

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FAVORITE TOURIST ATTRACTION

A: Crocodile Farm + Safari World

R: Crocodile Farm + Pattaya

K: Wat Pho + Chao Phraya River

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FAVORITE MALL/SHOPPING PLACE

A: Central World + Siam Paragon

R: Emporium + Pantip Plaza

K: Pratunam, Sampeng Lane, Chatuchak + Siam Paragon

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FAVORITE STORE

A: Kinokuniya Bookstore + Zara

R: Kinokuniya

K: Kinokuniya + Zara

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FAVORITE DESSERT

A: Royce chocolates

R: Mango with sticky rice + frozen yoghurt

K: Pancake roti, mango with sticky rice + frozen yoghurt.

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What else have we learned so far? We still can't speak Thai, but I am proud to say that we at least know how to count in Thai! It comes in handy when you buy from the markets. We also know how to say how much (Thao rai). Halata bang lahat ng natutunan namin are either related to eating or shopping? Haha!

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More than anything, we learned the true value of being a family. We were able to survive living in a new country that speaks a different language, with no relatives and friends, by sticking together. That way, new discoveries and adventures were made with the people that matter the most.

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Our Bangkok stint will definitely provide a lot of wonderful memories and learning experiences for me and my family, but I am still looking forward to the day when we will go back home and live happily ever after in our dream house in Tagaytay. I may have learned to love my life here in the City of Angels, but I left my heart in the Philippines :)

Winter in Bangkok

When I unpacked my luggage from our holiday trip, I stashed all my jackets and sweatshirts at the back of my closet thinking that I won't be needing them anymore. But just as I was making room for summer clothes and having visions of beach trips, hot afternoons and ice-cold drinks, I realize that it's still winter in Bangkok.

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One morning, as I was about to hang our laundry, I was greeted by a cold blast of air when I opened the door to our balcony. When you put your hand out the door, it's like sticking your hand inside the freezer. It's just like being in Tagaytay but without the humidity.

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Now I need to put out my jackets, shawls and sweatshirts once again because I need to wear them even on a sunny day. I'm even thinking of buying a pair of tights. Hehe!

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Sigh...I was so looking forward pa naman to basking in warm Bangkok weather after spending weeks in freezing cold Tagaytay.

Bangkok's Airports are Closed

I'm sure you've heard about this on the news. I've been really busy in the past weeks (more about that in the coming posts), but I figured that it's about time that I blogged about this.

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Two of Bangkok's airports, Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang, are closed leaving thousands of tourists stranded -- including my houseguests. My parents and my titas were supposed to fly back to Manila on Thursday, but since all flights have been cancelled, they still have no idea as to when they will be flying back home. Hopefully the situation will be resolved by Saturday because my titas have catering jobs waiting for them when they go home. Luckily for my dad, he has nothing to worry about because my two brothers are left in charge and according to them, things are running smoothly. (Forgive me, allow the ate to brag. I'm just super duper proud of my siblings. Hugs to all of you!).

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Now, where was I? Ok, back to current events. Another reason why I'm writing this post is to inform all our relatives and friends back home -- especially my lolo, titos, titas and cousins -- that WE ARE ALL SAFE HERE. PLEASE DO NOT WORRY! Because our apartment is far from the two airports. We are at least 40 minutes away. Kung dyan sa atin, kasing layo yan ng Taguig at QC. Contrary to what you might have heard or seen on the news, hindi namin nararamdaman ang gulo dito. Napapanood lang namin sa news ang mga pangyayari. Kung hindi namin nakikita sa tv, hindi namin malalaman na may gulo na palang nangyayari dito.

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We are praying that the airport will be cleared soon para makauwi na sila kasi miss na miss na nila kayo jan! In the meantime, you may get in touch with them thru ym, emails, text messages or phone calls. Kung may mga last-minute bilin kayo, contact them now. Hehe!

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We'll keep you posted!

Valdez Family Advisory

This post is for our family and friends back home.

You have probably heard or read in the news about Bangkok's current situation. It's true that our city has been placed in a state of emergency because the protests have turned violent. According to the news, the Prime Minister has no plans of stepping down so it looks like these protestors are not going away anytime soon.

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I was able to chat with my mom and my brother-in-law, Eric, last night because they were worried about us so I assured them that we are fine. The news might paint a scary picture for all of you back home, but you shouldn't worry about us. We are doing ok. Thankfully, our apartment is far from any government office so no sight of any protests or rallies here.

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Oakwood issued an advisory to its residents and they are doing everything to ensure our safety. As an added measure, we were given a few reminders to keep us on the safe side:

1. Avoid government offices or places of confrontation -- unless these government offices are selling shoes and bags at 80% off, I'm not going near them even on a regular day.
2. Do not form groups of more than five (5) persons -- even if we bring our driver with us, we are still one person short of being a suspicious group.
3. Refrain from wearing yellow or red -- good thing I don't have much of these in my closet!

Okay, I'm trying to be funny just to show you that we're fine, but this is not really the best time for that. We hope and pray that this will soon be resolved and that no one else will get hurt.

NSIS called off classes today, so Aly and I will be staying at home all day. Richard went to work, but his office is far from any protest areas so he's safe. I promised my mom last night that I won't go to the mall and I'm keeping my word.

Weird Weather in BKK

Bangkok has been experiencing some weird weather lately. Mornings are usually bright, sunny and perfect for doing laundry but by lunchtime, the sky suddenly turns dark and gloomy. There are times when the sun will shine the whole day, then it will rain the entire night.

Yesterday afternoon, this is what we saw...

A huge mass of heavy rain clouds looming over our apartment building. It's like watching Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers.

Here you can see the edge of the rain cloud.

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It was an awesome sight. Reminds me of the scene at War of the Worlds, the part with the weird storm and the big ass lightnings that brought the aliens to earth.

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I think I'm watching too much tv. Perhaps I should just stick to the soap operas and sitcoms so I won't freak out much.